Her Choice

Chapter 1: A Son

     Screaming. Wailing. Pain. The only thing heard echoing through the halls of the castle. My poor mother giving birth to my soon-to-be sibling. It sounded absolutely dreadful. I laid frozen in bed with my eyes shot open, listening to the frantic maids running in and out of my parent's room assisting my mom. Another shriek and cry at the top of her lungs could be heard through my closed door, making me wince at the noise. No wonder my mother hates me. I teased to myself, but I knew it wasn't true. If anything my father is the one who actually hates me. Oddly enough he always has, ever since I was born with a vagina he's had this utter loathing and hatred towards me, like it's my fault I wasn't born as his son. Then it struck me... a son. What would happen to me if my mother gave birth to a boy? 

     Well I'd be sent off by my father to live in the stables with Willow and probably stripped of my crown as a Princess and future Queen. I teased to myself again. But this time my faith faulted as I didn't know if my joke was true or not. A twinge of fear suddenly entered my body thinking of the alteration my life would take after this birth.

     I shook the anxious thoughts out of my head and now realized there was a new sound in the halls... silence... and then a small cry from what I assumed was my baby sibling. I eased my head into my pillow as exhaustion flooded my overthinking self. Now relaxed I let sleep take over, no longer worrying about my mother giving birth to a boy or a girl.

*****

     Waking up in a quiet panic, a cloaked man shook me awake, "Up! Get up Aravis!"

     Although I eased as the voice was much too familiar, "Professor?" I asked in a groggy voice, eyes halfway open.

     "Yes, now hurry get up we don't have much time." Throwing the warm bed covers off of me, embracing my body with the sharp cool air. A yawn stretched its way across my face, but the pleasant feeling left almost immediately as Professor Cornelius grabbed my wrist and pulled me to my closet. Quickly throwing the doors open and wrapping my thick, velvet black robe around me. "We must move to Caspian's room before it's too late." his voice slightly shaking.

     It was then I realized something amidst us was truly wrong. "Professor what's going on?"

     With a shush instead of an answer he pulled my hood over my head and swiftly tied the strings into a knot to keep it in place. He turned and pulled me behind him, stopping at my door and looking both ways before rushing me down the hall. Recognizing the corridor, we turned into Caspian's room and Professor woke him the same way he did with me. Startled at first then relaxing seeing Cornelius's face. 

     "Five more minutes." Caspian shrugged.

     "- You won't be watching the stars tonight my Prince." Professor interrupted him, "Come. We must move quickly." He turned to his closet, I assume to get him a coat.

     Worriedly Caspian rolled to sit up on his side, jumping at the sight of me. "Aravis? What are you doing here?" 

     "I've been asking myself the same question."

     "Hurry, get up!" Cornelius pulled Caspian out of bed.

     He stumbled to catch his balance, "Professor what's happened?"

     Cornelius took a step into Caspian's closet and moved his clothes out of the way revealing a door, "Your Aunt has given birth... to a son." He reached into his pocket for keys, shakily opening the lock. 

     Caspian shot me a look as he realized what this meant as I starred at him blankly. My jaw tightened, filled again with the same anxious thoughts I had earlier when my mom was giving birth. I wasn't sure why Professor was trying to get us out of there, but I was certain it was for good reason.